In the history of ancient Rome, appeared many famous figures. Many of them have been remembered as cruel tyrants, eg. Caligula, Nero or Caracalla. Others, on the other hand, became famous as great reformers: Augustus, Claudius, Marcus Aurelius, Diocletian, and Constantine the Great. Also, do not forget about the Roman commanders, who often rescued the Roman state from extermination.

The great creators of Roman culture who also significantly influenced further development of the world were also remembered. I will present people who have become famous for their great deeds.

HINT: You can find certain figure through the search engine: CTRL + F. You need to put name or surname. People are ranged by their birth dates. Beneath I present categories in which I have put the chosen figures:

The third king of Rome. He enjoyed the fame of a great warrior, the winner of Alba Longa; he won the Albanians and joined the Cellian Hill. He built many places of gatherings for the senate, including the curia of Hostilius.

The fifth king of Rome who was of Etruscan origin. During his reign the construction of Circus Maximus and sewers – Cloaca Maxima – began. According to scientists, he was considered the real ruler of the Roman monarchy.

The sixth king of Rome. Builder so-called the city walls surrounding the city. He was the first to administer the general census of Rome and to divide the society according to the property classes. In this way, he increased the size of the army and reduced the domination of patricians.

The creator of the new system – the principate. Founder of the first imperial dynasty – Julio-Claudian dynasty. He reigned as an emperor from 30 BCE to 14 CE. In general, however, the years of Octavian’s reign were a period of internal peace and economic prosperity, and wars were fought only on the outskirts of Rome.

He reigned in the years 37-41 CE. Caligula initially ruled along with the Senate and gained great popularity. A few months after taking over the power, he suffered a serious illness. After returning to health, he changed his attitude. He became cruel and unpredictable. He resumed the trials for else majesty, disposed of the Senate, demanded that he and his close family be worshiped.

Emperor in the years 96-98 CE. Ancestor of the Antonine dynasty. He was a much gentler emperor than his predecessor, Domitian. He freed prisoners accused of treason, forbidding such accusations in the future, restored confiscated fortunes, and strengthened the importance of the Senate. He adopted the young commander Trajan, who fought in Germania.

Emperor in the years 98-117 CE. He created new provinces: Dacia, Arabia, Armenia, Mesopotamia and Assyria. He won the Persians in the war lasting from 114 to 117 CE. A brilliant reformer and good emperor. We know him from the Trajan column, which was created in honor of his victories. He received the title “Best” (Optimus) for his achievements.

Emperor in the years 117-138 CE. He is considered one of the best Roman emperors; he was the third of the so-called five good emperors. He became famous for stabilizing the borders of the Empire, for extensive state reforms and for building fortifications, including the Hadrian Wall.

Emperor in the years 138-161 CE. He was adopted by Hadrian, ruled the Empire after his death. He was famous for putting down the Britain uprising and the erection of the Antoninus Wall, which was built in 142 CE in Scotland. The period of his reign is the time of prosperity and peace often called Pax Romana. His rule and the rule of Marcus Aurelius are the end of Rome’s greatness.

Roman emperor in 238 CE. He was elected by the aristocracy in the African province, kicked out against the emperor Maximinus Thrax. Due to his advanced age, he was a co-emperor with his son Gordian II. He reigned for 21 days.

He reigned in the years 217-218 CE. He was Berber from birth and he never sat in the Senate. The short period of ruling, could not determine what kind of ruler he really was. He died in battle with the rebels.

The Roman emperor from 235 to 238 CE. He is considered to be the first barbarian (non-Roman) emperor. He was also the first emperor who never appeared in Rome and the first of a whole series of so-called emperors-soldiers. His reign is considered as the beginning of the crisis of the Roman Empire in the 3rd century CE.

He reigned in the years 211-217CE. He was supported by the pretorians and part of the army. He was famous for his cruelty, his liking for bloody shows and promiscuity. He despised the scholars. He dreamed of unifying the Roman Empire with the Parthian Empire.

He reigned in the years 275-276 CE. Tacitus was supposed to cooperate with the Senate and initiated many reforms. In addition, he honored the dead of Aurelian with numerous statues and also punished his murderers.

He reigned in 218-222 CE. The young ruler quickly gave prove of his emotional instability and cruelty. Despite the opposition of the tRomans, he introduced a cult of Sun in Rome. Despotic, wasteful, debauched, he introduced his favorites to the offices. His “compromising” governments led to the conspiracy and assassination of the emperor.

He reigned in 251-253 CE. He gained power similarly to many of his predecessors, from the soldiers. He had to deal with many invasions in Roman territory and internal fights in the Empire. He finished like many other emperors at the time.

Roman Emperor Aemilianus reigned for several months in 253 CE. He gained the power thank to faithful legions, which overthrew the legal emperor Trebonian Gallus and took the throne of Rome for 88 days. He was overthrown by the successor – Valerian.

He reigned from 253 (along with his father) from 260. on his own. Gallienus belongs to one of the most eminent rulers of Rome, however, the historians, who were hostile to the emperor, distorted the image of his reign at the time of the peak of Roman crisis.

Volusianus was born c. 230 CE and he was the son of the emperor Trebonianus Gallus, with whom he was a co-emperor in the years 251-253. Assassinated along with his father at Interamna by his own soldiers.

He reigned from 284 to 305 CE. His rule begins the era of the late Roman Empire – dominate. Diocletian transformed the Roman state into an absolute monarchy, establishing a despotic system of government called dominate, depriving the Senate. The emperor was given the features of divinity, . There was introduced eastern court ceremonial and the state worship of the ruler. To improve the governance, a so-called Tetrarchy was deployed.

Constans was the Roman emperor ruling in 337-350 CE. He was the son of Constantine I, who ruled over the middle part of the Empire: Italy along with the Alpine regions up to the Danube and part of the Balkans and North Africa (without Egypt).

Roman emperor in the years 364-375 CE. He ruled the western and eastern parts of the empire; with time he gave his brother’s rule in the eastern part to Valens. After a few years, he appointed Gratian’s co-ruler. He died of nervousness.

Roman emperor in the years 361-363 CE. Commonly called Julian, he sought to restore the prevailing position of a pagan religion, wishing to introduce the ancient religion of the Romans with certain reforms. He used to harass to Christians: he ordered them to return temples, forbade them to teach in schools. In 363 CE he died during the fights with the Persians.

The last emperor who ruled both the eastern and western parts of the Roman Empire. He reigned from 379, initially together with Gratian (up to 383) and Valentinian II (up to 392), then on his own until 395 CE. During his reign, the Goths took control of Illyria and settled in the south of the Danube within the borders of the Empire. He was the author of the decrees which made Christianity a state religion in the Roman Empire.

Roman emperor in the years 363-364 CE. He got power after the death of Julian the Apostate, when the military council gathered. Their first choice was Salutius Secundus, prefect of pretorians, but he rejected the proposed office. The next choice of council was Jovian.

Roman emperor in the years 395-423 CE, ruling in the western part of the Roman Empire. Son of Theodosius the Great and his first wife – Aelia Flacylla. brother of emperor Arcadius (reigned in the east in the years 295-408 CE) and half-brother of Gallia Placidia.

The emperor who, although officially holding the highest office (461-465 CE), was in fact under the strong influence of the commander – Ricimer. Libius was unable to carry out effective reforms. Ancient sources mention Libius as a pious and religious person.

The Roman emperor in the years 457-461 CE. He is considered the last non-war ruler of the western part of the Empire. He managed to restore power over the majority of Iberia and Gaul. One of the few German emperors who had taken vigorous and decisive action to save Rome from falling.

Consul and Roman dictator from the mid-5th century BCE. He was an example of civic virtues. His achievements were described by the Roman historian Titus Livius, and it was thanks to him that Cincinnatus turned out to be one of the most popular figures of Roman antiquity.

He was one of the most famous Roman leaders. He became famous for the destroying the Teutones and Cimbri tribes and for a thorough reform of the Roman army, for which he was recognized as the third founder of Rome (after Romulus and Camillus).

He was born in 138 BCE. He was a Roman commander and politician – belonged to the Optimates. In 82 BCE Sulla received dictatorial power. In the following years he carried out a number of political reforms.

He was a Roman politician and commander, a member of the First Triumvirate. Known for his proverbial wealth, he died in the battle of Carrhae. Crassus, despite his high political importance in the first century BCE, remained in the shadow of Pompey or Caesar.

He got his nickname – the Great because of his great political and military successes and merits for Rome. His campaigns on east and solving the problem of piracy in Rome have passed into history
He eventually suffered a defeat in civil war with Caesar.

Roman commander, politician and writer. He was associated with the Populares.In 62 BCE, as a praetor, he unsuccessfully stood up for the conspirators
(Catilina) and against this background he fell into conflict with Cicero. He died murdered during Ides of March. The actual factor transforming the republic into an empire.

Politician, military commander, orator and Roman writer. He was a supporter of the republic and an opponent of Pompey and Caesar’s dictatorships. He was one of the leaders of the conspiracy against Caesar and was eventually one of his assassins. He died in the battle of Philippi.

Brother of Tiberius. Druzus was one of the most outstanding people of his time. He had friendly manners and a huge commanding talent. He was an outstanding commander, which is to be seen in his numerous victories over the Germans.

He was one of the most famous Roman leaders. He became famous for his successful campaigns in Germania and was considered the be the future emperor. Eventually, however, he was poisoned and died young.

The main historian during the reign of Augutus, he was widely respected at the court.He was in friendship with the emperor himself, who – according to historian Tacitus –
called him “Pompeian” because of his republican views.

She came to history as an exemplary Roman matron, a virtuous woman living in accordance with Roman values, and a mother who supported her sons Tiberius and Gaius Grakch. It was characterized by extraordinary intelligence, wisdom and firmness.

The elder sister of the first emperor of Rome – Augustus and the fourth wife of the leader Mark Anthony. Octavia had the opinion of a model Roman woman. Octavian always had great respect for her, and she had great influence on his rule.

Pomponia Graecina lived in the 1st century CE. She was the wife of the Roman commander and conqueror of Britain, Aulus Plautius. She was accused in 57 CE for professing a “foreign superstition” that is often associated with Christianity.

Septimia Zenobia was the wife of king of Palmyra – Odaenathus, after the death of whom in 267 CE she tried to strengthen the position of her young son Vaballathus. Thanks to skilful politics, Zenobia was expanding the state and had full power in the eastern areas of the Roman Empire.

Greek historian and chronicler of the Roman Empire during the Republic. Due to the care for historical truth and a critical attitude towards sources, he is considered to be one of the most prominent (next to Thucydides) Greek historiographers.

Favorinus of Arelate (today Arles in the south of France) lived in the years around 80-160 CE and he was a famous sophist and philosopher. Although he was Gaul, he mastered Greek very well, which made him an acclaimed and admired orator.

Aristides was a leading representative of the second sophistry, intellectual power developing during the early Roman Empire.

IMPERIUM ROMANUM needs your support!

Your financial help is needed, in order to maintain and develop the website. Even the smallest amounts will allow me to pay for further corrections, improvements on the site and pay the server.
I believe that I can count on a wide support that will allow me to devote myself more to my work and passion, to maximize the improvement of the website and to present history of ancient Romans in an interesting form.

Advertisement

The site exists since 2004 and during that time I managed to collect a lot of materials about ancient Rome.
I have repeatedly corrected and modified the website to maximally adapt the navigation to the needs of visitors. I think, finally, I managed to achieve it.
From the early beginning, on the home page, there was my own thought – in my opinion great:To the glory of Caesar and the Roman people, go the way of victory, the way of the great Empire! This sentence encourages me to work more on the website.

Support IMPERIUM ROMANUM!

IMPERIUM ROMANUM is in process of translation over 3300 Polish articles about history of ancient Rome. If you have the opportunity to financially support the further translations – even with smaller amount – I will be very grateful.